Virgin Australia already codeshares flights into Los Angeles (and onwards to a dozen other US cities) with Delta Air Lines, on top of its own services from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to LAX.

The airline estimates that around 60% of its passengers to the US fly from LAX on to other destinations.

"Virgin Australia guests will connect seamlessly from Los Angeles to important cities such as Chicago, Washington and Boston and will continue to enjoy frequent flyer recognition throughout the journey" says Merren McArthur, Virgin Australia's Group Executive of Alliances, Network and Yield.

Earlier this year, Virgin Australia joined Virgin America and Virgin Atlantic with full 'earn and burn' rights across their respective frequent flyer programs.

Travellers on Virgin America will be keen to sample the airline's inflight Internet service, which costs US$5 for flights under 90 minutes, US$10 for 1.5 hours to 3 hours and US$15 if you’ll be travelling for more than 3 hours.